Thursday, May 18, 2006
"You Had a Bad Day"
Smile first thing in the morning and get it over with.—WC Fields.
My friend Bella had a bad day earlier this week. Actually she confided that she’d been having a bad fortnight. (No, she didn’t actually say that, what she said was she’d had a bad two weeks, but I thought fortnight sounded more dismal.) I might have lamely proffered pithy platitudes that we all hear, often repeat, and usually believe. But I simply clucked my tongue and mumbled my sympathies and support.
A couple of days later, when my own day was not so terrific, I could better empathize with Bella. I began to muse on those aphorisms that we sometimes automatically suggest in a gloomy situation. Being in a somewhat nasty, cynical mood (Oh no, no! Not that…horrors!), I came up with some sarcastic responses to these platitudes. So Bella, this list is for both of us. You might want to consider using it should your bad fortnight continue.
Answers to Adages (Deliver with Attitude)
“Look on the bright side.”
“I would if I weren’t blinded by the baleful glare I’m giving you.”
“When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.”
“Why? It’s still sour.”
“Bloom where you are planted.”
“No thanks, I’m not particularly into noxious weeds.”
”Don’t think of the glass as half-empty. Think of it as half-full.”
“Right. Half-full…of BILE!”
“Put on a happy face.”
“I won’t do it. I’m afraid of clowns.”
I will never actually deliver these somewhat rude responses, although there is something selfishly satisfying about thinking them. I suppose if the above platitudes provoke us, it is because at that moment we are reluctant to admit that there really is something substantive to them. Their underlying messages focus on gaining perspective, and reconciling our behavior to it. During a trying time, it may be painful and difficult to look within ourselves for the answers to our predicaments.
I don’t think my friend Bella’s bad fortnight will continue. While we were talking, she told me she knew that what she needed was an attitude adjustment. I guess she realizes, as do I, that in the long run, a bad day, (or a fortnight) like pain, is inevitable, but misery is always optional.
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The ironic thing is that there is some truth to those trite statements that people make. I remember reading about a study that involved testing how smiling affected mood. Some participants were told to smile, regardless, for a certain amount of time, and others not to. I'm sure you can guess the result!
But I wouldn't dare tell you that when you're down...!
But I wouldn't dare tell you that when you're down...!
Have you heard the song- I don't know the title but it goes like this "You had a bad day, the camera don't lie, etc...." It is pretty funny...
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